We Want for Our Sisters What We Want for Ourselves, debunks myths about monogamy and polygyny and challenges us to rethink our approach to relationshps and family. This book reveals that before European domination, polygyny was an accepted marriage and family practice in over eighty percent of the world's cultures. Even in Western societies, polygyny has always been practiced. However, because it is done so under a myth of monogamy, this creates a "peculiar" form of the practice that is demoralizing to women. This peculiar form of polygyny was practiced in early European history in Greece and Rome. It was also practiced during slavery in the U.S. to the detriment of African American women and families. Even in contemporary America, because closed polygyny is practiced in various forms under the guise of monogamy, it continues to disempower African American women and undermine their relationships and families.

Dr. Patricia Dixon proposes that open and consensual polygyny or copartnering is more benefical for African American women, men, families, and communities and describes how those who practice it in this manner are making it work. Finally, she calls for African American women to move toward copartnering by building relationships on love, truth, community and ultimately a womanist ethic of care for sisters.